Good evening Wildcat Band! 

First, I want to speak on behalf of all of the Band staff and let you know that we sincerely hope you are doing okay right now.  We were SO excited to be teaching you in-person during Band Camp that we hoped would still happen as recently as a few weeks ago.  There have been many changes thrown at us over the last 2 months and we have continued to try and plan for a situation where things are constantly changing, sometimes daily.

The most important thing we want you all to know is that we have had a lot of time to think about you and the experience you have in the LHHS Band.  No matter what next year looks like, the directors and student leaders are committed to creating a Lake Highlands Band program that is a safe space for every student and a place where every single student feels like they belong.  We will not tolerate others acting in hateful ways, speaking in hurtful words, or treating others in ways that make them feel that they don’t belong.  While we recognize that there may have been inadequate responses to various situations in our band’s past, moving forward, we as a staff are committed to ensuring that every student’s experience is positive and each student has a place in our band program.

We are currently making preparations for a VIRTUAL summer band camp for the Lake Highlands HS Wildcat Band the week of August 10th!  This camp is completely optional, and is provided as a way for students to reconnect with their friends and band directors.  Some of our JH band directors will be teaching the camp along with the LH Band Staff… so this promises to be a great way for our new 9th graders to connect with their new “second home” in the LH Band!  Many of our section leaders have been connecting with incoming students all summer – we are so excited to see you all!!

Due to the current Dallas County order, we will NOT be able to meet in person until September 8th at the absolute earliest.

All-Region auditions WILL happen and that music has been sent out in Google Classrooms based on the concert band you placed in at the end of the Spring semester.  Every woodwind/brass student has been invited to their band class Google Classroom. Please login to your g.risd.org account to accept the invite.  Mr. Smit will communicate with percussionists soon with an update on All-Region percussion music.

If you have a school-owned instrument that is need of repair, it can be taken to Brook Mays (5756 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75240) or McKay Music (435 W Interstate 30, Garland, TX 75043).

With no marching competitions occurring this season, there are currently no Fall semester SAT/ACT dates that conflict with Band events.

Although we are all still learning about what virtual vs. in-person instruction will look like for the beginning of the year, we can’t wait to see you and find out how you’ve been doing.

More details coming soon!

Have a great night,

Mr. Chavis